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5 Common Summer Injuries and Prevention Methods

Summer is all fun and games until somebody gets hurt. While summer involves abundant opportunities for play it also provides opportunity for injury. From painful sunburns, to dehydration, to watersport injuries we constructed a cautionary list of the most common summer injuries and their preventative measures.

Sunburn

Tomato red, tender skin is the mark of time spent outdoors and a sunburn. By not protecting your skin, you’re risking skin damage that can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. Nonetheless, it’s entirely possible to enjoy the summer sun and stay safe.

For ultimate protection, ensure that you reapply sunscreen every two hours. Sweat and water often remove the sunscreen and re-expose skin. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to exposing your skin to the sun. By doing this, the sunscreen has the opportunity to latch onto the skin.

Prevention methods:

Wear a hat

Avoid peak times (10:00am-3:00pm)

Cover body

Seek shade

Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of the body. Often missed areas include: ears, feet, lips and scalp.

Watersport Injuries

Many watersport injuries occur from boat activity; such as, waterskiing, tubing and wakeboarding. Other water related injuries are caused by cliff diving and jumping. When participating in any watersport activity it’s important to understand the risks and potential dangers. For waterskiing, tubing and wakeboarding the most common injuries include fractures, head and neck trauma. For cliff jumping, be mindful of dangerous rocky surfaces below. The rocky surfaces increase the risk for head, neck and back injuries.

Prevention methods:

Boating

Wear a life vest

When participating in a watersport activity plan hand signals with people on the boat to communicate

Keep a spotter on the boat for an extra set of eyes to watch the person in the water

Heatstroke and Dehydration

Many are surprised to learn that the first sign of a heatstroke is lack of sweat. Bodies stop producing sweat when the cooling system in your body lacks the ability to cool down. Anyone is susceptible to a heat stroke so it’s important to understand the warning signs. Heatstroke symptoms include: pale skin, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, high body temperature, racing heart and rapid breathing. The good news is that heatstroke is preventable.

Prevention Methods:

On hot days, drink plenty of water or fluids with electrolytes

If outdoors, take breaks in the shade

Wear lightweight clothing

If you must be outdoors, schedule your time in the morning or night

Dehydration is also common in summertime due to higher temperatures and time spent outside. Dehydration symptoms include: dry, sticky mouth, sleepiness, dry skin, thirst and headache. Of course, the best way to prevent dehydration is by drinking plenty of water. Be guided by your thirst and drink fluids throughout the day. In order to prevent dehydration, most doctors recommend drinking at least eight glasses of water, fruit juice, or vegetable juice per day.

Protect your heart in the heat through speaking with a top heart doctor to discuss any potential concerns you might have this summer.

Insect Stings and Bites

The majority of bug bites are horrible due to their bothersome itch, bump and irritation to the skin. Unfortunately, in countries outside of the U.S. many carry infectious disease. After an insect bite, if someone were to feel a fever or other ill symptoms they should seek immediate medical attention.

Bee stings are another common summer injury. Most bee sting reactions are minor and require treatment at home with soap and water. However, if you are allergic to bees this can become rather uncomfortable and sometimes even dangerous.

Prevention Methods:

Cover exposed skin

Use bug spray with picaridin

Oil of lemon eucalyptus

If you are traveling to an area with a high percentage of mosquitos or insects and wish to speak with a specialist, search for a top doctor through Castle Connolly today.

Allergies and Asthma

Most people with allergies have symptoms for many years; however, allergies are heightened during the summer months due to pollen, ragweed and grass. Consequently, exacerbations of asthma also heighten during the summertime.
In order to avoid severe reactions, there are several ways to decrease your suffering of allergies and asthma.

Prevention Methods:

Stay indoors during high-temperatures and high pollution day

Take prescribed medications

Control the amount of dust in your home

Wash bed sheets regularly

For people who suffer from asthma and shortness of breath it is recommended that patients be treated by a clinician.

Finding an allergist who can assist with your medical needs is significant to your health. Search for a top allergist near you today.